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1500 questions
12
votes
2 answers
What is this thing on my junction box?
This thing is on my junction box but i don't know what it is or what it's for.
hack3rfx
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12
votes
4 answers
How do I use three-prong appliances when my outlets are mostly two-prong?
I am living in a house where most electrical outlets are two prong. There are a smattering of three prong, in particular where an addition was put on. Am I hosed when it comes to where I can plug in electrical appliances that have three prong…
Ron
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12
votes
2 answers
What type of tape is used to seal vapor barrier seams?
If I was installing vapor barrier in Canada, I'd use Tuck® Contractors Sheathing Tape. However, after a trip to the local Home Depot (USA), I came up empty in my search for Tuck Tape.
I did find Tyvek® Tape, which is used to seal the seams of…
Tester101
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12
votes
3 answers
Driveway expansion joints are rotting wood: What to replace the wood?
My driveway was poured in sections with lengths of 2x4 which remained between the slabs as expansion joints. Due to heaving and moisture many of these are in poor shape. I replaced one once by carefully carving a 2x4 on a table saw to fit the…
Ben Jackson
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12
votes
1 answer
Found an old tool - What is it?
I found this with a bunch of other old tools. This is the only one I can't figure out what it is. I wonder if it's a home made tool for some unique purpose. Or maybe it was just for made for fun out of random available parts. Or was this something…
PJS1987
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12
votes
7 answers
How to clean rusty grill grates?
Accidentally left grill grates outside during the winter and rust built up.
Tried to search online and ask at Lowe's, but didn't find a good solution.
What worked for you?
Nikita R.
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12
votes
5 answers
Should I leave the drain open on my compressor for storage?
I just got a new air compressor for occasional finish nailing and tire inflation. I understand that I need to open the bottom drain to let out any condensation (i.e., this question) after each use.
Should I also store the compressor with this valve…
kmm
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12
votes
4 answers
Can a gas dryer be converted into an electric dryer?
I am moving to an all electric apartment and have a gas dryer. It is 3 years old. Can it be converted to an electric dryer? How would I find someone to do this?
Karen Peters McCall
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12
votes
5 answers
Drywall surrounding vent no longer supports screws;
Screws that normally fix the vent in place can't do their job anymore. The drywall has crumbled to the point that the tapped hole for the screw lacks a boundary with the duct. (Picture attached.)
Perhaps:
The cutout for the original vent larger…
Cameron Hurd
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12
votes
5 answers
Is Teflon thread tape easily removable?
I bought a couple of water timers for my sprinklers and they are leaking. I was wondering if I could put Teflon tape on them and this winter be able to remove the timer to be reused next year.
Thank you.
Sally Smith
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12
votes
3 answers
How does a Thermal Release Device (TRD) work?
Rheem hot water heaters have a device in the combustion chamber called Thermal Release Device (TRD). It contains a vial filled with liquid that seems to be mounted in a flex metal plate. It is a safety device that is supposed to trip when the…
amit_g
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12
votes
2 answers
How can I transition a square duct to round of the same outer size?
In remodeling my bathroom I had to convert a 6"x6" square duct underneath the floor joists in the basement to flex so I can get around my new toiler drain. I cannot for the life of me find a 6"x6" square to 6" round transition anywhere.
Do I need to…
underthetablethinker
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12
votes
11 answers
awkward driveway curve has cars nearly colliding with house, how to mitigate?
Bellow is an arial photo and a road-side photo of my new house.
As you can see the driveway is an awkward curve especially when backing out of the car port to the side of the garage - you have to do a slight "double S curve" to avoid the house…
Dan Mantyla
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12
votes
7 answers
How should I hang Christmas lights where I don't have any gutters?
I finally got around to hanging Christmas lights this year. I bought gutter clips so I wouldn't have to permanently install anything, but I just realized that I don't have gutters along a pitched portion of my roof. The soffit there isn't…
Doresoom
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12
votes
3 answers
Is it possible to be electrocuted from a properly functioning GFCI circuit?
It's my understanding the the purpose of a GFCI circuit is to prevent shock by tripping the circuit if there is an imbalance in current in vs. current out. So my question is, if you have a functioning GFCI circuit, either due to a GFCI outlet or a…
Scott Mitchell
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